Build Your Own DI Spotless System | DIY DI Spotless | Budget VS Expensive

[@jfarm_1311]

I appreciate all the time you put into these videos!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank You

[@marcnakanishi1568]

The community thanks you for your continued research and support 👍🏼

[@CarsWithKeav]

Appreciate that!

[@leoe5644]

Great job Keav. Thanks for continuing to research and show us how we can also DIY it .

[@CarsWithKeav]

You’re Welcome

[@erock801]

love the side by side comparison, having options, and the thorough explanation of each system. will either option remove post-softener salt? i thought installing a whole house carbon, sediment, and resin/salt softener system would be great but it has created a couple new problems at the outside hoses… salt on our cars and salt in our drip irrigation system. thanks!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Yes, it will remove salt from the water. The water softener system replacing the magnesium, calcium, etc and replacing with salt does make the water softer, but makes the salt much more visible in the water spots.

[@ThisOldDetailingDude]

Thank you for doing all this research & testing! You have definitely helped me with my setup

[@CarsWithKeav]

You’re Welcome Tim. You help me out a lot as well!

[@camyota]

You could eliminate most of the valves. Use 1 2 way valve at the output, run the output of the di filter to one, water hose straight to the other then you just need a T on the water hose one to the valve and 1 2 the di inlet.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Your sure could, but I like a nice symmetrical look so I go a little beyond what’s needed.

[@jimsjacob]

Great production! I’d like to install the 10” version on the RV, but I can’t think of where it would fit. I guess it could be in a stand up configuration, but I like the just “plug and play” when setting up at each camp site. I’ll have to ponder things and maybe come up with a location where it would fit. Cheers!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

So many choices and ways to do things every setup will be different based in the area and space you have. Hope you find the right setup and good luck!

[@Vectorr66]

Yay, finally got my replacement TDS meter since I lost or misplaced my other one. Looks like I am at 80ppm which is lower than I thought I would be nice!

[@CarsWithKeav]

80ppm that is nice you can basically use any system and get 0ppm just the smaller ones you will be refilling often. If you have room I always suggest oversizing some can go a whole wash season on without refilling.

[@TheOutdoorDetailer]

That's awesome. Still don't know if i want to build one, but now i know the extra option is there for a quality improvement over the CR. Btw, those DJI Mic setups are awesome, though i was having an issue with mine when i would put my back to the camera and walk away. The video would somehow lose all sound until i stopped and restarted recording. Only happened with the Action 4 camera though. Just something to be careful of.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thanks for the info on the DJI. I also run the record mode on the mic so if the camera doesn’t get the sound the mic will have it as a backup.

[@maryhoffman2547]

The new mic is sounding great! The camera just didn't want to focus because she got a hell of a leg shot,lmao😂🤣 Thank you, Keav, for these videos. And congratulations on 20,000!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@maryhoffman2547 I was wondering why the camera wouldn’t focus. 🤣

[@diydetailofficial]

Good job!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank You

[@gearlstrickland3365]

I really enjoy watching your content

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thank You!

[@JeepJL]

Go Keav… Making the world a better place one drop of water at a time! If you don’t like the DJI mic pulling at your shirt, you can always use a lav mic plugged into the DJI that you just leave in your pocket.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thinking about it, but the lav mics like to pickup shirt rubbing noises more.

[@JeepJL]

@@CarsWithKeavmedical tape… Right to the chest.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@JeepJL That’s a hairy proposition. 🤣

[@Tanner_Teves]

@@CarsWithKeavA good fix is to get the insta360 go 3 magnetic pendulum. Put that around your neck and put it inside your shirt, then put the mic on the outside of your shirt. It won’t tug due to the support from the necklace going around your neck. Only downside is the mic is visible but I don’t think the DJI set is too distracting

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@Tanner_Teves That is a good idea I just don’t like things hanging on my neck either. I’m a difficult person. 🤣

[@tfrosty56]

Great video very informative thank you!

[@CarsWithKeav]

You’re welcome

[@MsJt323]

Great Job Keav. I want to create a single housing system and add the RV-Mod conversion tube. Do you know if that conversion tube will fit any of these housing covers mentioned in your video? Since they seem pretty generic I was looking for one other than the CR Spotless, since they are more $$. Thanks!

[@CarsWithKeav]

They should fit, but I had issues with my rv mods the resin kept getting through the slits and clogging my nozzle. Other have had the same issue, but also many others with no issue.

[@philmallonga6664]

I am new to car detailing. I have a whole house filtration and softener system. Will this do?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Out should work how long the resin lasts between refills depends on the TDS of your water after the softener. Usually the softener replaces certain solids with sodium making the star softer, but still the same amount of solids that can cause water spots.

[@hybridmx5]

I have an extra 10" spotless system. Do you think I can run this before my main system but let the resin sit there for a year. It would just be a pre filter to make the main system resin last longer. Or do you recommend I use something like a sediment and carbon filter? IDK what to do with my extra set.

[@CarsWithKeav]

It all depends on the water. I would do sediments if you have debris or rust in your water. Carbon filter can stop sediment as well so I just run two carbon filters instead to lower the chlorine and other chemicals that exhaust the resin early. Resin should be good as long as it’s kept moist. It has about a one year shelf life.

[@hybridmx5]

@@CarsWithKeav Thanks! I live in Hawaii so water is pretty clean and low on any chemicals. Feels like such a waste with those filters sitting there.

[@jasoncraig7096]

Very informative!! I like the DIY approach! Do you do anything to your water to get it to 60 ppm? After my softener (well water) I am at 350!!!!😬

[@CarsWithKeav]

It’s county water, but our water source is mountain fed so it’s already naturally filtered. Do you know if you have excess CO2 as well? Some well water has a lot of it and need to be aerated in order to release it. CO2 eats DI resin up and depletes it quicker than even chlorine does.

[@chavezsergio4496]

Another great informative video. How your Waterdrop spotless holding up? I should have mine up and running in the next weeks. Just waiting on shelf to mount the big bio pressure washer. The big bio is so quiet.

[@CarsWithKeav]

I use it as my carbon pre-filter on my wall setup. That bypass is so nice O built it into my setup. I leave it running filters the whole time though since carbon lasts a very long time and keeps the chlorine buildup out of the adapters and fittings.

[@Dini-jf5bt]

cool setup, have you looked into using Pex piping?

[@CarsWithKeav]

I did just thought the PVC looked better since it’s always straight. Pex would be way easier to install though since it’s flexible.

[@MikeMJCW]

Hello Keav, Have you done a Di "resin only" comparison test? I grabbed the $50 "Bam Bam" you recommended, worked great, got almost 3 months out of it with my 3 stage system. I noticed once it passes 20 PPM the resin degrades rapidly i.e. each wash seems to add 10 PPM.

[@CarsWithKeav]

I have not as the resins are too inconsistent for a test to work. These companies shop around resin and most of the times it’s regenerated which will have a different result every time. I have yet to have back to back refills at the same gallon mark. Sometimes the Bam Bam last 800 gallons on my cr spotless when it hits 1 ppm and other times it’s been 700 gallons.

[@Captain_V_Neck]

Awesome video! Thank you for this. Does the housing with the stand on all filters website include the filters?

[@CarsWithKeav]

No just the housings and stands. Still have to get the cr spotless cartridges already filled or buy equivalent 4.5x20 bulk cartridges and fill them yourself.

[@Captain_V_Neck]

@@CarsWithKeav Thank you for the response. Appreciate all of your help.

[@rokkz]

Hey Keav, your vids are invaluable!! Have you considered duplicating Bigboi setup, I have the 3 filter setup, with 1 X carbon 2 X resin with a in and out tds gauge and bypass with 3 way valves?Works a treat BTW in Oz

[@CarsWithKeav]

The stand in this video has a 3 stage version that you could easily add a carbon filter or run dual bed resin in two of them and a mixed bed in the third. They are supposed to send me one to test before they launch it in the U.S., but have not heard anything yet.

[@Vectorr66]

I’m guessing quick connects are recommended to make life easier for hose connections to bypasses.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Quick connects are always nice, but never needed. It’s a want to make things easier for sure. Sometimes though it adds extra bulk to the ends causing the footprint to be even wider.

[@dannysuarez6923]

Hey Keav, thanks for giving us these options. If I don't feel comfortable drilling for the TDS meter, is there any other option to have an inline TDS meter?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Some have come up with a design that modifies an adapter outside of the filter system. I have not looked a lot into it, but I’ll keep it as an idea for a future video.

[@dannysuarez6923]

@@CarsWithKeav ok thanks Looking forward to seeing that one if you ever get to it.

[@brettpeckinpaugh]

I bought the smaller version and getting higher TDS after install. Do I need to run it a bit to prime the beads? I have about 115 and when I run it the water shows as 135 or so.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Smaller version of this DI design? Are the in and out setup correctly? If it’s cr spotless resin and with 115 water it should easily get 0 ppm. How fast is the water flowing? Need to keep around 2gpm or less if a smaller version.

[@brettpeckinpaugh]

@@CarsWithKeav yea I was sure to also change the top mount around to have the in/out facing correctly. Some reviews show the same issue, wondering if I got bad resin and need to replace it.

[@Vectorr66]

As you can see I am watching all your videos which I love. If this is only going to go through my Karcher pressure washer I would want to limit my throughput like you said to save DI or would it still be limited because the pressure washer can only push so much? I realize I just like figuring the process out like yourself.

[@CarsWithKeav]

It’s always nice to know what the flow rate is, but if running a Karcher it’s going to limit the flow to whatever it can do. Probably no knots than 1.5 to 1.6 GPM.

[@Vectorr66]

@@CarsWithKeav didn’t even think it would only go as fast as it is being pulled out. Thanks man. Sorry for all the questions.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@Vectorr66 No problem! I want my comment section to be a community with good information. Somebody else could have the same questions and the answer will be there for them.

[@tacticalofficer6103]

Thank you !!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

You're Welcome

[@eddiehall5644]

Sounds good

[@CarsWithKeav]

Thx

[@tylerchambers7561]

Hi - love your videos. Question - how would you setup your flow meter to measure only the DI water? I will be making this setup with 3 cartridges and want to see how many gallons of DI water I will get. Unfortunately, my TDS is 270 so it's going to really important to get a good measurement of gallons used.

[@CarsWithKeav]

Only way really is to add the meter after the input side shutoff valve. Depending on the meter if it’s NPT or GHT you will need a few adapter. You could also do the same thing before the outlet shutoff as well. That also Changes the length of hose you need and adds more width to the setup. Another way on a wall setup is to do a totally different pipe routing. Making the main flow of water go straight to the hose or pressure washer. Then branch off that line to the DI system and route back to the main line. Shut off valves at the input and output side and a shutoff valve on the main line between those. This is video of my wall setup that uses that style and has a built in meter. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp2paatsqctjrdksi=EdD_x5A7l5iogsNN

[@iiChromEo]

Hey Keav- do you have a drain in your garage? If so what type? Trying to build a wash bay and was doing some research on trench drains

[@CarsWithKeav]

I have a shallow trench type system. I went over it in this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/foebqXetgrqWqs0si=D002BEqGxp05yOo2

[@iiChromEo]

@@CarsWithKeav thanks!!

[@waqasahmad628]

I couldn't find the link with the spacer that holds the cartridge inside (plastic ring)

[@CarsWithKeav]

Available on the CR Spotless website. crspotless.com/products/centering-ring

[@MyGuyKirby]

I like your tips, but thinking of buying the on-the-go single tank as I do mobile detailing and space is limited in truck. My local water is 275 ppm so looking for best value, any thoughts?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Tank style ones are always great. They usually hold more resin depending on the size. I like the Griots tank as well. If you have the space then the On The Go Double Standard would be my pick. At 275 the smaller On The Go might deplete quicker. In the end it’s the same amount of resin, but you refill less often also the larger the tank the more flow you can do.

[@MyGuyKirby]

@@CarsWithKeav Thanks for response, I do appreciate the details on building the bypass myself. Your seems to satisfy performance when in the by-pass operation over the offerings from OEM vendor.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@MyGuyKirby Nothing I hate more than being restricted. The government does enough of that already. 🤣

[@hyde4never]

How to maintain those DI water system? If I only wash my car about twice a month, do I need to let the resin dry after I used it?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Always Keep the resin moist. It loses its life when it dries out.

[@hyde4never]

@@CarsWithKeav I see, thank you for the answer.

[@Enthusiast_detailing]

Yessss🔥🔥🔥

[@CarsWithKeav]

Right!

[@beachboardfan9544]

Arent these essentially just water softeners?

[@CarsWithKeav]

One of the resins called Cation acts like a softener and is called water softener resin which removes calcium, magnesium and iron. That does not create spotless water it just takes the harder minerals out of the water there is still carbonates, bicarbonates, arsenic, carbon, sulfates and nitrates to be removed that cause water spots and that is what the anion resin is for. It also reduces the alkalinity of the water.

[@urielmeraz89]

Can you do a DI for well water???

[@CarsWithKeav]

I don’t know much about well water and don’t have access to it to test. Biggest thing I know of is to try and eliminate c02 and soften the water. The DI process would be the same as these units after that.

[@unreviewed]

Do DI systems reduce the water flow and pressure in your pressure washer?

[@CarsWithKeav]

Most systems are restricted to certain flow rates. The ones in this video need to stay at 2.5gpm or less, but they are not restricted so it can flow more problem is that will not allow the filters enough time to clean properly. These should work with any pressure washer up to 2gpm so most all of the electric ones out there. As long as the flow of water is more than what the pressure washers produces then they will not impact it.

[@unreviewed]

@@CarsWithKeav That's good info; thanks! I needed that part of it: the flow-through requirement for the DI. I wanted to use DI full-time. I'd love to see some bucket-fill tests proving that 2.5gpm will still allow 2gpm flow on my AP630. Thank you for the video!

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@unreviewed One good thing to know is many use the cr spotless with an AR630 or Kranzle. Jamie The Cleaner does and he has 500 tds water and it has no issues. Matt from OG runs his Kranzle with the Cr spotless as well. I have run mine through several no issue. The ones I built here would have the same performance.

[@unreviewed]

@@CarsWithKeav You would think so! I've watched them all and all of yours. You ALL do your tests on bypass. The only person running DI full-time is Auto Fanatic, and he doesn't do flowthrough tests. I've learned a lot from your channel. I really appreciate the information, and you have covered this DI thing very well.

[@Ducklingdetail]

Hi Mr Keav , thanks alot for your sharing video . I'm from Vietnam so I really want you to help me for some questions , I would be thankful for those . 1 . I don't know what kind of resin you guys use to put into the system , and iven what size is it ? In my country we just have some resources can provide resin . So please help me , apriciate that alot from me . If my English is bad , forgive me .

[@CarsWithKeav]

It’s called “Deionization mixed bed resin” for the setup size I have in the video it would be 15lbs needed or about 7 Kilos.

[@Ducklingdetail]

@CarsWithKeav my house-water's TDS is 100ppm . So how I can mix the resin together Mr Keav . Should I put cation more or anion more , please help me if you could . Have a great day sir .

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@Ducklingdetail Usually Cation gets used up first, but it all depends on what minerals are in your water. Usually 60% Cation and 40% Anion works good.

[@Ducklingdetail]

@CarsWithKeav Thanks alot Mr Keav , love you guys alot , specially American Detailer and 🇺🇸 . God bless you and God bless us . ❤️

[@Magicinstalls]

The issue was not the initial cost. It's the ongoing cost of the resin. It's outrageous

[@CarsWithKeav]

You not lying especially if you have hard water. Cost per gallon can get out of control.

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

First!!!!!!!!!

[@CarsWithKeav]

Noce

[@1stfrompuertorico568]

@@CarsWithKeav Noice😜😜😜

[@wescat2]

You did build that Sh!t yourself 😂 HYB

[@CarsWithKeav]

🤣🤣🤣

[@user-pwfus]

60ppm lmao you do not need a water filter waste of money in your area.

[@CarsWithKeav]

@@user-pwfus True, but this stuff interests me and it’s great topics for KZbin content. Great thing about the internet is I can reach way beyond my area. Also 60 ppm is not spotless so if I want spotless I still need my DI filters they will just last way longer than most.